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Katiebird reviews The Collar by Tara Sue Me + Giveaway

The New York Times bestselling author of The Submissive returns with a scintillating new tale about power, danger, and jaw-dropping passion….

Nathaniel and Abby are struggling to navigate the challenging waters of their own relationship, when they get a surprising phone call from their partners in play, Dena and Jeff, who are in need of a helping hand…

Seven years ago, blonde, beautiful lawyer Dena Jenkins was tired of her carefully controlled life. Desperate for something exhilarating to help her escape the pressures of her demanding job and her senator father, she joined a steamy, local BDSM club as a submissive. There she met brooding Dominant, Jeff. The attraction between them was undeniable, and, despite Dena’s doubts, they couldn’t stay away from each other.

Except, as the years have passed, their blazing connection has proven difficult to maintain. Dena and Jeff have a history they’d rather forget, but Dena can’t let go of the past, and Jeff is ready to move across the country to give her space. Now, to save their passion, they’ll have to rediscover what it means to trust each other—and give themselves to each other completely…

The erotic genre is not something I read regularly, but I have been reading Tara Sue Me’s work for years. I love her style and storylines because there is more than just intense sex scenes. Let me tell you, they are hawt!! While I don’t relate to being submissive, I can always connect to her characters in other ways. This is the fifth book in The Submissive series.

Let me preface this by saying that I didn’t read The Enticement before reading The Collar, but with this story being about the relationship between Dena and Jeff, I don’t think it was necessary. What I find different about Tara Sue Me’s BDSM stories is the inside look into role playing in a club atmosphere. There is an added element of exhibitionism that is unfamiliar to me.

We go into this story at the point when Dena and Jeff are no longer together, but have to be around each other when they are at monthly meetings at the local club. Dena isn’t seeing a regular Master, so she volunteers for Dom trainees. They are thrown together in a scene at the last minute, but things don’t go as planned. Jeff is forced to punish her for her transgressions, but doesn’t realize that Dena is being harassed by someone with threatening letters and phone calls. In the middle of them dealing with their unresolved feelings for each other, there is this mystery behind who is threatening Dena.

We also get flashbacks of their past. Woven throughout the storyline, we read about how they met, what their relationship was like in the beginning, and what caused them to break up. It is very emotional and touching. While I don’t get Dom/Sub lifestyle, I do understand that you can find balance, if both people truly care about each other.

Jeff is also dealing with his estranged father’s health and turns to Dena for solace when he is feeling vulnerable. This forces them to deal with their own loss, before truly going forward with their relationship.

“Did you tell him?”

She laughed and shook her head. “Tell him that not only do I let men tie me up and flog me, but that I like it? No way. Just knowing how he would react was enough.”

Was enough. Past tense. “Obviously now it’s more than rebelling against your father. No one can be a submissive for four years out of spite.”

The waiter delivered their salads, and she didn’t say anything until he left. Jeff reluctantly let go of her hand so she could eat.

She popped a tomato in her mouth and chewed with a look of complete bliss. “I found out after a while that being a submissive completed me. It’s hard for me to explain to those not in the lifestyle, but I’m sure you know what I mean.”

“Yes, I do know. For myself, I’m not sure I’m even able to separate the man in me from the Dominant. It’s just who I am.” He had accepted it years ago and no longer felt the need to explain or excuse it.

“I want to get to that point. I still think I’d feel the need to explain myself to people.”

“Society’s double standard? It’s okay for a man to be dominant, but a ‘real’ woman would never consent to being submissive.”

She nodded. “Yes, exactly.”

He leaned across the table and was pleased to note she did the same. She was so close, he could smell her jasmine perfume. “I think,” he said, “that it takes more strength to admit what you want. Anyone can sit back and let society tell them what’s expected. True courage is saying, ‘Screw you. I need this and I’m going to take it.'”

As he spoke, the truth of his words hit him. According to society, he shouldn’t be with a woman like her. She had probably been attending law school when he got his GED. But he wasn’t going to listen to society. He wanted her and, if she wanted him, he’d take her.

I give this book 4 intense and sexy stars, and put it on my “top shelf fantastic reads” shelf on Goodreads.

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One thought on “Katiebird reviews The Collar by Tara Sue Me + Giveaway”

Great review, Katiebird! I’ve read Tara Sue before and I think she writes BDSM very well and that the way she does it will interest most readers of erotic romances, even if they’re not heavy into BDSM. Hope you find time to read and review my latest novel in my Mind’s Eye series as I know you like romances with paranormal elements. Cheers!